Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It was created in 1912, two years after Japan acquired their first aircraft. In 1922, the aircraft carrier Hosho was launched, the first commissioned ship built to accomodate aircraft. The IJN's pilot training program was very selective and rigorous, producing a high-quality air corps that ruled the Pacific Ocean's air from 1940 to 1942 during World War II. However, the long program prevented replacements from being readily available, and Japan failed to alter the program. The Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19-20 June 1944 saw Japan's naval aviation become scrap metal after the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" with the US Navy's fleet, and it was disbanded after the war.